[Warbaryan]

I'm not sure if I'm taking this in the way you meant it or not, but I just wanted to say that I don't play that game either. We are not one big happy family. What I'm getting at is that anyone can do whatever they want really, it doesn't make a bit of difference to me. I have no interest in eaglefeather, or any of the rest of them. But neither do I have any interest in wasting my time and energy trying to convert anyone else to my ideas or feelings.

Yepp. I think you, enso�±ar, made your stance pretty clear in your previous posting. And I pretty much agree with you.

As the victims of our judeo-christian cultural upbringing, we're bent to seek leaders, people who would clearly state us what to do and we'd just obey and hope we please the master and fit into the system... to be "saved", socially accepted or whatever. This is exactly the mindset what the warrior's of third attention should constantly struggle against. Because no-one will do the work for us, no-one will walk our path for us.

I don't care if there's 5 or 12 Castaneda books, the value in them for me is the essence that I reached through them (or rather, they clarified for me the path that I already was on and thus helped me in making more proper choices). I certainly can't see the same essence in these newagey S. Hitting Bulls and whatever McGurus you can still see seeking for disciples (sheep) around the Internet...

There is a vast difference between those who seek the way beyond the shackles of social order, and those who don't.

And there is also a subtle but remarkable difference between the act of trying to convert others and the act of sharing views and thoughts without socially self-important motives; philosophizing with a hammer doesn't necessarily have to do anything with the intent to convert -- I have lost the desire to preach and play teh teacher Â? a long time ago... But I haven't rejected the desire to question, challenge, blaspheme and strongly express what I feel and think whenever I deem it suitable.

(The power decides what is suitable. For each individual and for each individual moment. So it should be, methinks.)

No gurus. Plz. Lol.

[ensonar]

As the victims of our judeo-christian cultural upbringing, we're bent to seek leaders, people who would clearly state us what to do and we'd just obey and hope we please the master and fit into the system... to be "saved", socially accepted or whatever.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Yet, I must say I have an aversion to the word "victim". I am no one's victim. Our self importance may be a product of society, but we are not victims unless we choose to be.

[Warbaryan]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Yet, I must say I have an aversion to the word "victim". I am no one's victim. Our self importance may be a product of society, but we are not victims unless we choose to be.

That's what I was trying to say.

We are victims by default. By assuming responsibility and walking the way of warrior, we turn to face our poisonous legacy (of slavery) in an altogether different light... or shadow.

[Merged]

I welcome all books of Toltec. Calling Ken an imposter is kinda like giving CC the same cult status Jesus Christ has developed. But as we know, as far as the Carlos Conspiracy and wether Don Juan was real in the first place, none of it matter because it is the substance in the books that carries any significance. And the substance is definately there, it has been credited by various shamans, medicine men, brujos, etc that have read it. For example I was just reading the Path of Power by Sun Bear, an authentic native american indian (shaman) who refernced CC in his books when trying to give a description of shapeshifting to animals.

Anyways.. Ken Eagle's books is is just one persons account of a philosphy through their eyes, as Carlos was with his books, and so on. Miguel Ruiz is another, some dont like his delicate and simple manner of presenting the toltec philosophy for the layman, others have had their entire lives changed by his words. Their are too many personalities in this world to expect only one to work, and thus calling Carlos Castaneda the "the source" is ridiculous. They are all THE SOURCE, viewed through different eyes.

[Nick]

Yes, Carlos Castaneda did not invent the Toltec teachings. He re-introduced them to the people of the west. Before the rise to power of the patriarchal religions we all had access to this knowledge. The Christian church has been particularly brutal in the way that it has suppressed this knowledge. Over the centuries millions of its own people have been put to death for daring to practice the old ways, and all written accounts have been destroyed. Through propaganda they have succeeded in labelling this way of life satanic and evil.
The native people of this world are to be admired for keeping this knowledge alive, but it is not their exclusive property. Even without their help we can re-discover this knowledge by spending time alone in nature. The Earth is a living being, she can teach us much, and is willing to do so. Centuries of persecution and indoctrination mean that we do not even think of going on a vision quest any more.
With regard to reading other authors of Toltec wisdom, I believe it is good to do so. Different people will emphasise different aspects. For example, Ken Eagle Feather writes a lot about energy and its many manifestations, Theun Mares and Victor Sanchez concentrate more on practical applications of stalking and not-doing, whilst Carlos Castaneda has a more mystical bent of character and concentrates a lot on dreaming. By sticking to just one "guru" we may run the risk of making our assemblage points more rigid.

[ensonar]

Wow! I really sounded like a harsh opinionated asshole in those previous posts!

To be honest I really couldn't care less. Maybe I'll check out some other books on nagualism eventually. Or maybe not. But regardless, who am I to say what's what? I've never met those authors, and don't plan to. So for me to make statements against them is utter ridiculousness!

I'm just another nobody who knows next to nothing.